Here’s a MAD look at how some 1960s-trendy, international-style pictograph signage might be improved.
City Folk™ won’t get just how real and frustrating the “slow farmer” signs would be. Ditto for the stoplight fundraiser. In fact, I was recently accosted at a rural crossroads by some genial firefighters who each held out an empty boot to raise funding for charity.
I live in California; so go ahead, just try to bribe a “state trooper” and see where that gets you. On the other hand, we’ve got you covered on ugly housing tracts.
All images and humor courtesy of MAD Magazine.
I remember that issue! The “Farmers on Slow Tractors” resembles the Amish Buggy diamond signs I saw in Lancaster County, PA. It certainly put me on guard, as hitting one of those would be horrific. It helps that the Amish put the Slow Vehicle triangle on back.
The “Overcharging Service Station” problem is solved by using one’s smart phone to find a station off the Interstate.
Thanks, Ex. My life would probably have turned out differently without Mad magazine in the house, as a kid. My straight-arrow dad would pack the new copy in his brief case, to read on the train. Hoo-hah !
In which decade did this piece appear ?
Nice write up indeed even despite some awkward signage.
Timely signs then as now .
-Nate
Mad was one of the best parts of growing up back in the day.
I love Mad magazine and stuff like this is why. This is going over to a similarly minded friend who owns a sign shop. I expect hilarity by the weekend
Thanks for some good laughs. MAD never was politically correct.
One item mentions “Watergate Veterans”, so maybe mid 70’s?
MAD magazine was often pretty retarded, just flailing away against any minor inconvenience and blowing it way out of proportion. Their lowest common denominator perspective often was bigoted, ignorant, and downright Trumpian. Interesting piece of history.